In a major-league first, a game ended Wednesday on a walk-off challenge.
The modern twist came after Texas Rangers batter Evan Carter took a called ball on a 1-2 pitch with two out in the top of the ninth inning. However, Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo played a hunch and challenged the call. The ensuing review by the automated ball-strike challenge system revealed that the 95.2 mph from Albert Suárez clipped the top of the strike zone on the outside corner.
It was strike three, and with that, ABS technology rendered its first game-ending ruling, capping the Orioles’ 8-3 victory.
Additionally, it was the first challenge of the game by either team.
“I thought, ‘Why not use it?’” Basallo told reporters, via an interpreter. “Better to use it and see what happens.”
The Orioles were the 1st team in MLB history to win on a walk-off ABS challenge.
Catcher Samuel Basallo wasn’t 100% sure it was a strike, but O’s still had both remaining.
“So I thought, ‘Why not use it?’” Basallo said via interpreter. “Better to use it and see what happens.” pic.twitter.com/lCE0tlBY7n
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) April 1, 2026
About an hour earlier, another game was extended by an ABS challenge — albeit with far less dramatic results. In the bottom of the ninth inning of the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, Reds batter Tyler Stephenson watched a called strike three for what looked like the last out during a loss. However, Stephenson initiated an ABS challenge and won. Stephenson then fouled off one and then swung through another, striking out for the final act of an 8-3 loss.
